Romans 14:5-6

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. - Romans 14:5-6

Dear Jesus,

For all my life Easter has been a big deal.  You put me in a family and church that celebrates your death and resurrection as the high point of all earthly events.  Our Easter Sunday experience has always been unrivaled on our church family's calendar.   And this year, you allowed a nasty virus to disperse us to our homes.  There will be no hoopla in the community, no breakfast in the church, no fanfare.  At first glance it seems unfair and surreal.  But it really does have a purifying effect on me.  I'm left to ask, not, "What do those people say Easter means?" to "What do I say it means."  When I give this some serious thought I have to admit that Easter really is a big deal to me.  Yes, Jesus, it really is a big deal to me that you rose from the dead and I will be acknowledging Holy Week and East Sunday as I always have.  Only this year it will be more solitary, and personal for me.  You have seen to that. I am fully convinced in my own mind that on Easter I will be celebrating that day as the day you conquered death for us.  And I will do my best to encourage anyone in the sphere of my influence that they meaning of the day will not be lost on a seclusion caused by a virus.  Help me Lord Jesus.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

Faith and godly reflection are a fiercely personal matter as much as they are a community celebration